AFP, Manchester
Cristiano Ronaldo set another goalscoring record in a return to form with a hat-trick to keep Manchester United's chances of playing in the Champions League next season alive with a 3-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
Ronaldo had scored just once in his previous 10 games, but three fantastic finishes took him clear as the highest scorer in professional men's football history according to FIFA's records with 807 goals for club and country.
Victory lifts United back into fourth, although they are just two points ahead of Arsenal who have four games in hand.
It took just 12 minutes for Ronaldo to make his mark with a stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box. A Tottenham equaliser seemed only a matter of time and was gifted to them when Alex Telles handled Dejan Kulusevski's cross for a clear penalty.
Harry Kane smashed home the resulting spot-kick to continue his fine form for his sixth goal in as many games.
Within three minutes, though, United were back in front thanks to a landmark goal for Ronaldo.
He turned home Jadon Sancho's inviting cross to surpass Austria-Czech striker Josef Bican as football's all-time record goalscorer according to FIFA's records. United's defensive deficiencies meant Ronaldo's work was not done to win the game as Spurs enjoyed the better of the second half.
When a second equaliser did arrive for Antonio Conte's men it was thanks to more misery for United captain Harry Maguire. Consistent errors from the England international have played a huge part in his side's struggles this season and he turned into his own net from Sergio Reguilon's cross.
Conte screamed for focus from his side on the sideline, but they succumbed again to Ronaldo's predatory instincts.
The United number seven rose highest to meet Telles' corner nine minutes from time to power a header into the top corner for just his second United hat-trick and first since returning to Old Trafford in August.
